Life Group - Study Guides

This week, let’s consider how the last week of Jesus’ life affects us all year long. Take time, even if your Life Group doesn’t meet, to meditate on the events that changed everything.

This weekend is known as Palm Sunday. It starts off Holy Week for Christians all over the world. In the Jewish world, this week leads up to the Feast of Passover. The time of Christ’s great sacrifice is near. As we read anew of Jesus’ triumphal approach to Jerusalem, being hailed as the “Son of David” and worshipped by the crowd, what does it have to do with us? Who do you say Jesus is?

This message is based on one of the most confusing parables of Jesus. Yet it teaches us about our use of the Master’s resources and how God intends our wealth to be used for both building the Kingdom and our own good. Part of our spiritual growth includes how we use our treasure for eternal influence. Let’s learn how our finances can affect our legacy.

If you want your life to matter—both today and for eternity—you must use it wisely. That means making the most of your time, your talents, your giftedness. We’ll study the Parable of the Talents and the life of King David to see how to do exactly that!

At the end of this life, we assume there will be a memorial service, a fairly nice eulogy, and an eternity with Jesus. Yet believers can live a life that gets them to heaven but does not leave a legacy of blessing and peace here on this earth. Your time here matters. Let’s learn how to spend our time here well, making the most of every opportunity we have to serve Jesus and serve others.

We place value on so many things: a new house, boat, clothes, or success. They can be priceless objects, but people still matter more than things, “to-do lists,” and our preferences. You should love and care for others as (in the same ways) you love yourself. This kind of love leads to healthy conflict resolution and authenticity in relationships. It isn’t loving to agree on everything or to fake it. Let’s discuss how can we love through conflict and weaknesses.

Jesus made the religious leaders of His day extremely uncomfortable. He can make us uncomfortable in our casual faith, also. When asked what is most important, Jesus repeated the “Shema,” the daily prayer of the Israelites and declaration of their belief in God from Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Jesus affirmed this huge part of the Jewish faith, but He also elevated it. Let’s study why it matters today.

The Resurrected Jesus sent word for His disciples to meet Him in Galilee. There He delivered their assignment. We call it “the Great Commission.” It’s also our assignment, the Church’s one job. Let’s break it down and get practical about what and how we are to do this job!

Jesus loves the Church. He gave His life for all people, but the Church is His Bride. He is the Head of the Church and Scriptures refer to her as the Body of Christ. What does it mean to belong to a local assembly of believers and what does that have to do with our purpose? Let’s look at the assignment and responsibilities of all believers, then dig deeper into our individual gifts and purposes.

In this day and current climate, it seems hard to love others who are different than we are, who believe differently, or who are angry with us.